Therapists in Sierra Madre, CA

Therapy is a delicate art and a science. Finding the right therapist is important. The connection by an understanding, intuitive professional, someone with wisdom and effectiveness, who also respects the time and the cost of your investment is valuable. I use an attachment-focused orientation, and tools from EMDR, Ego State Theory, CBT, 12-step recovery model, and other modalities. I have enjoyed a rich 25-year career as a trauma informed specialist. I have supervised and directed programs in public and non-profit sectors. Adoption is my specialty, as well as work with teens, young adults and families.

Are you struggling with debilitating thoughts that make you anxious or depressed? Or finding yourself in a difficult life transition or crisis? I love to help people going through challenges to feel better, learn to cope better, and know that they are not alone. I value guiding and empowering clients to dive deep into their experiences to gain insights that target and heal problems at their root. I may use EMDR, CBT, mindfulness, and a psychodynamic perspective (exploring the impact of your childhood and hidden aspects of yourself on current challenges), and will cater the therapy experience to your unique needs.

I am invested in helping my clients find their strengths among the challenges they may face in life. I consider it a privilege to create and hold space for them to do the work which will allow them to live to their greatest potential. My experience working with individuals, couples and families in a multitude of settings helps me better understand the complexities and uniqueness of individuals. I partner with my clients to create meaningful change in their lives, so that they feel connected and thrive.

Dr. Katharine Putman seek to create a warm, healing collaboration with each client. With over 18 years' experience providing therapy for children, adolescents, adults and families, Dr. Putman blends expertise in healing from trauma, anxiety, depression and grief. Life Tree therapists also tailor a unique approach to help each client to help the client to heal and thrive. Dr. Putman works within clients' spirituality, culture and worldview to reach short-term goals and/or longer-term therapy goals for those who wish to pursue deeper healing and growth in their relational patterns.

Does this describe you: "I'm running on empty and living a frazzled life. I feel like I'm in survival mode." The process of exploring your inner life (the unresolved traumas, as well as the resiliency that has helped you survive) creates opportunities for you to heal. I am trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing). As Viktor Frankl wrote, "When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves." We can rewire our brains and reprocess our past traumas using EMDR. I am currently providing EMDR via Zoom. Yes, this is possible, and it works.

My mission is to empower those that I work with to have meaningful connections to themselves and the world around them.I specialize in supporting individuals, couples and families who are in transition - specifically, if a family member is in treatment or struggling with abuse, trauma, eating disorders or chemical dependency. It is very important to me that I respect my clients' philosophies, values and goals in therapy. As I work with a family, I'm sensitive to the experience of being invited in and I only offer solutions that fit within the family culture.

I believe that all people have the ability to heal themselves and yet sometimes a little extra support is needed to get there. Are you driven, passionate and capable but struggling to maintain right now? I offer a safe, non-judgmental and compassionate space so you can explore whatever is currently holding you back. As someone who worked as a night attendant on the FDA-approved MDMA/PTSD study and having provided over 10 years of harm reduction services at music events, I find that my open-mindedness has been an essential component of my professional development.

Alison specializes in working with children, adolescents, teens and adults. She provides EMDR or Brainspotting and is passionate about helping children and adults overcome emotional difficulties while building healthy coping skills. She provides a safe, nurturing space for her clients to talk about their feelings and learn practical calming tools. She works closely with her young clients' parents, guiding them every step of the way. Alison also loves to work with premarital and marital couples, help adults going through breakups and/or those who have experienced narcissistic abuse.

Janine Gordon is a licensed psychotherapist with over 20 years of experience in psychotherapy, clinical supervision and program management. She has worked with children, teenagers and adults and is currently providing clinical supervision as well as directing a school-based program serving over 20 schools. Her passion is helping others to grow and heal along this journey in order to truly live their best life. Janine utilizes a variety of clinical modalities, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Mind-Body Techniques. She’s is Licensed Clinical Social Worker and has a certification in Integrative Somatic Trauma Therapy.

Today you are one step closer to where you feel empowered and on a positive path to growth and well-being. I provide insight oriented, caring and compassionate client focused therapy. I specialize in Christian Spiritual Development, Depression, Anxiety, PTSD, EMDR, Grief, Relationship Issues, and Parenting Skills As a solution-focused therapist, my goal is to help you uncover your true potential and lead a life that is worth celebrating. While I can't change difficult situations of the past, we can work together to better understand and resolve challenges in your life.

It is my desire to provide a place of compassion and safety for individual adults, couples, children, and adolescents as they explore themselves and challenges in their life. Whether you are experiencing a loss, struggling with depression or anxiety, or facing changes in your family life or career, I will join with you to help you meet the goals you have to improve your life and relationships.

My aim is for you to feel safe in a nonjudgmental therapeutic environment so that you may find insight and personal growth and reach your goals while remaining true to your authentic self. My approach to health is holistic, working with you collaboratively so that you could better understand your inner workings and experiences and effectively set and reach your goals.

The most fascinating and important part of my job as a therapist is how to have a really good conversation. It may sound too simple, but it cuts to the heart of what to expect from therapy. Through good conversation, you experience connection and understanding. When we are understood, difficult feelings change with resulting freedoms to engage life. Trained both as a Marriage and Family therapist and a psychoanalyst, I work with complex relationship issues, divorce and blended families, depression, anxiety, addictions, men's issues, and sexual trauma recovery, and integration of psychology and faith/spirituality.

I specialize in relationship issues pertaining to Infidelity; Youth (most often impacted by familial stressors) and Communication, which correlates and can manifest as obsessive thoughts, anxiety, depression and related addictions. Infidelity is a symptom of underlying issues. Trained in EMDR to identify and manage trauma, I became a therapist due to personal experience in dealing with affairs. I understand the emotional roller coaster infidelity creates. Emotional education and processing is important to understanding why you are experiencing the emotions you are dealing with.

In my practice, I emphasize the importance of every individual knowing that they have been understood. I am passionate about helping others know themselves better and I meet my clients wherever they are regardless of age, area of struggle, or disability. My specializations are: Neurodevelopmental Delays including Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention Issues, Behavioral Challenges, Impulse Control Issues, Learning Disabilities, and Regulation and Sensory Processing Disorders. I provide individual, family and group therapy, parent coaching, neuropsychological assessment, and school consultations.

Is ongoing daily stress taking its toll at work or home? Does it feel like the most important people in your life can't hear what you want or won't take "no" for an answer? Let's work together to manage stress and take control of emotional reactions and behaviors. When we're angry, hurt, afraid, or nervous we often react in ways that can make an already difficult situation worse. Or, we just freeze and it gets even bigger! It often feels like the more critical the situation, the less effective we are! We can help.

Seeking help is a sign of inner strength. Perhaps things don’t seem to go the way you wanted in your personal, family, and/or professional life. You might be hitting a wall in your relationships, missing out on promotions, or feeling a sense of emptiness despite your accomplishments and accolades. You might feel stuck and lonely, your usual ways of managing life no longer serve you well. You might wonder “What is wrong with me?” “Something is missing in my life” "I am just not good enough." I hope that through our therapeutic collaboration, you would start to explore the question of “What happened to me?"

Did you wake up this morning, feeling sad or with untold anxiety about starting your day? A day fraught with dealing with relational issues child(ren), your significant other, family members or others individuals? This be the day you pick up the phone to garner the support you deserve in making some much needed changes in your life. Help is but a phone call away.

Waitlist for New Clients. Juliana specializes in working with clients struggling with depression, anxiety, ADHD, school and social challenges. She believes that as humans we are wired for connection. We long to experience “The Four S’s,” to feel safe, seen, soothed, and secure. Juliana approaches therapy as an opportunity to support clients in developing strong and compassionate relationships. She uses her intellect, humor, compassion, and sense of play to help clients and their families to develop insight, empathy, and skills to meet their individual goals.